Emulsion composition

ABSTRACT

An emulsion compositions comprising (i) an alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer, (ii) a C 12  to C 18  higher alcohol solid at room temperature (for example 15° to 20° C.), and (iii) a silicone oil, wherein the weight ratio of the component (i)/component (ii) is not more than 0.5. This emulsion further contains no surfactant.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an emulsion composition. Morespecifically, it relates to an emulsion compositions having littlestickiness to the skin, a superior rich feeling of use, and a goodemulsion stability.

BACKGROUND ART

As the emulsion compositions for cosmetics creams, emulsions, etc. usingvarious types of oil-based and water-based components and surfactantshave been widely used in the past. In recent years, however, greatersafety has been desired in cosmetics as well. From this viewpoint, thepresence of surfactants has been considered a problem. Therefore, it maybe considered to formulate an emulsion composition for a cosmeticwithout using a surfactant. As such a method, there is the method offormulating the emulsion composition for the cosmetic using analkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer, but this emulsion composition isdeficient in that it does not have a sufficiently good feeling of use,in particular, lacks rich feeling when applied to the skin, and suffersfrom stickiness and sliminess after drying.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide anemulsion composition, even without using a surfactant, having littlestickiness or sliminess, a good rich feeling of use, and a good emulsionstability.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an emulsioncomposition comprising (i) an alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer, (ii)a C₁₂ to C₂₈ higher alcohol which is solid at room temperature and (iii)a silicone oil, wherein the weight ratio of the component (i)/component(ii) is not more than 0.5.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present inventors engaged in intensive research to solve theabove-mentioned problem and, as a result, found that, by incorporating,into the emulsion composition, an alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer, asolid higher alcohol, and a silicone oil, wherein the weight ratio ofthe component (i)/component (ii) is made 0.5 or less, it is possible toobtain a good rich feeling of use having little stickiness or sliminess,and a high emulsion stability, whereby the present invention has beencompleted.

The emulsion composition of the present invention is characterized inthat it substantially does not contain any surfactant. Further, thecontent of the solid higher alcohol is preferably 0.01 to 10% by weightand the content of the silicone oil is preferably 1 to 30% by weight.

The constitution of the emulsion composition of the present inventionwill now be explained.

The alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer (powder) usable as the component(i) in the emulsion composition of the present invention may include anacrylic acid-methacrylic acid alkyl copolymer, for example, thosecommercially available under the brand names of CARBOPOL 1342, PEMULENTR-1, and PEMULEN TR-2 (BF Goodrich Company). These alkyl-modifiedcarboxyvinyl polymers may be used alone or in any mixtures of two ormore types. Further, the formulation amount is preferably 0.01 to 10% byweight based upon the total weight of the emulsion composition. Further,from the viewpoint of the feeling of use, a range of 0.05 to 5% byweight based upon the total weight of the emulsion composition is morepreferable. If the formulation amount is less than 0.01% by weight, theemulsification is difficult, whereas the amount 10% by weight, nofurther increase in the emulsification action and effect of improvementof the emulsion stability can be expected. Note that with anon-alkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer (for example, CARBOPOL 941 (BFGoodrich Co.), Hybis Wako-105 (Wako Pure Chemicals) etc. ordinarily usedas a thickener, it is not possible to stably emulsify the oil component.

The C₁₂ to C₂₈ (preferably C₆ to C₂₂) higher alcohol usable as thecomponent (ii) in the emulsion composition of the present invention andsolid at room temperature (for example, 15° to 20° C.) may be used aloneor in any mixture thereof. As specific examples, straight chain alcoholssuch as lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol,myristyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, and branched chain alcohols suchas glyceryl monostearyl ethers (batyl alcohol), glyceryl monocetylethers (chimyl alcohol), may be mentioned.

If the higher alcohol used as the component (ii) in the presentinvention has less than 12 carbon atoms, it becomes liquid at roomtemperature and the effect of the present invention cannot be obtained,whereas if it has 29 carbon atoms or more, the melting point becomeshigh and emulsification becomes difficult.

As the formation amount of the higher alcohol, 0.01 to 10% by weightbased upon the total weight of the emulsion composition, preferably 0.05to 5% by weight, is used. If the formulation amount is less than 0.01%by weight, the effect (imparting of the rich feeling) is not exhibitedmuch at all, whereas even if more than 10% by weight, not much furtherimprovement in the desired effect is recognized.

The ratio of the components (i) and (ii) mixed in the emulsioncomposition according to the present invention must be not more than0.5, preferably 0.03 to 0.4. If this ratio is more than 0.5 (if thealkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer becomes too much), the slimy feelingdistinctive to a polymer is felt, and therefore, this is not preferablefrom the viewpoint of the usability.

As the silicone oil usable as the component (iii) in the emulsioncomposition of the present invention, chain type silicones, such asdimethyl polysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane,methylhydrogenpolysiloxane, and cyclic type silicones such asoctamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,dodecamethylcyclo-hexasiloxane may be used. As the amount of thesilicone oil added, 1 to 30% by weight of the total weight of theemulsion composition is preferred and is more preferably is 5 to 20% byweight. If the formulation amount is less than 1% by weight, the effect(reduction of stickiness) is not exhibited much at all, while converselyeven if more than 30% by weight, not much improvement is observed in thedesired effect.

The emulsion composition of the present invention may include, inaddition to the above-mentioned essential components, various types ofingredients conventionally used for cosmetics to an extent not impairingthe object of the present invention. In particular, solid oils and fatsand/or semisolid oils and fats other than the higher alcohols which aresolid at room temperature are preferably formulated therein in an amountless than 2% by weight based upon the total weight of the emulsioncomposition. This is because, if the formulation amount is more than 2%by weight, stickiness is liable to be felt--which is not preferred interms of the usability.

As the liquid oils and fats, there are linseed oil, tsubaki oil,macadamia nut oil, corn oil, mink oil, olive oil, avocado oil, sasanquaoil, castor oil, safflower oil, apricot oil, cinnamon oil, jojoba oil,grape oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, wheatgerm oil, rice germ oil, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil,peanut oil, teaseed oil, evening primrose oil, eggyoke oil, neetsfootoil, liver oil, triglycerine, glycerine trioctanate, pentaerythritoltetraoctanate, glycerine triisopalmitate, etc.

As the solid oils and fats, there are cacao fat, coconut oil, palm oil,palm nut oil, beef tallow, hog fat, sheep fat, horse fat, hydrogenatedoil, hydrogenated castor oil, Japan wax, Shea Butter, etc.

As waxes, there are beeswax, candelilla wax, cotton wax, carnauba wax,bayberry wax, tree wax, spermaceti, montan wax, rice bran wax, lanolin,reduced lanolin, hard lanolin, kapok wax, sugarcane wax, jojoba wax,shellac wax, etc.

As ester oils, there are octanic acid esters such as cetyl octanate,lauric acid esters such as hexyl laurate, myristate acid esters such asisopropyl myuristate, octyldodecyl myristate, palmitic acid esters suchas octyl palmitate, stearic acid esters such as isocetyl stearate,isostearic acid esters such as isopropyl isostearate, isopalmitic acidesters such as octyl isopalmitate, oleic acid esters such as isodecyloleate, adipic acid diesters such as diisopropyl adipate, sebacic aciddiesters such as diethyl sebacate, diisostearyl malate, glyceryltri-2-ethylhexanoate, pentaerythritol tetra-2-ethylhexanoate,2-ethylhexyl succinate, etc.

As hydrocarbon oils, there are liquid paraffin, ozocerite, squalane,squalene, pristane, paraffin, isoparaffin, ceresin, vaseline,microcrystalline wax, etc.

As lower alcohols, there are methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,etc.

As sterols, there are cholesterols, cytosterols, phytosterols,lanosterols, etc.

As humectants, there are polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol,dipropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerine,diglycerine, xylitol, maltitol, maltose, erythritol, trepharose,D-mannitol, gluten, glucose, fructose, lactose, sodium chondroitinsulfate, sodium hyalonate, sodium adenosine phosphate, sodium lactate,gallates, pyrrolidone carbonates, glucosamine, cyclodextrin, etc.

As water-soluble polymers, there are plant or vegetable-based polymerssuch as arabia gum, tragacanth, galactan, carob gum, guar gum, karayagum, carragheenin, pectin, agar, quince seed (Cydonia oblonga Mill),starch (rice, corn, potato, wheat), algae colloids (algae extract),microbiological polymers such as dextran, succinoglucan, pulleran,animal-based polymers such as collagen, casein, albumin, gelatin,starch-based polymers such as carboxymethyl starch, methylhydroxypropylstarch, cellulose-based polymers such as methyl cellulose,nitrocellulose, ethyl cellulose, methylhydroxypropyl cellulose,hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, crystalline cellulose,cellulose powder, alginic acid-based polymers such as sodium alginate,alginic acid propylene glycol esters, vinyl polymers such aspolyvinylmethyl ethers, carboxyvinyl polymers (CARBOPOL etc.),polyoxyethylene polymers, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymerpolymers, acrylate polymers such as sodium polyacrylate,polyethylacrylate, polyacrylamide, polyethyleneimine, cation polymers,inorganic water-soluble polymers such as bentonite, aluminum magnesiumsilicate, laponite, hectonite, anhydrous silicic acid, etc.

As UV absorbants, there are benzoic acid-based UV absorbants such aspara-aminobenzoic acid, anthranilic acid-based UV absorbants such asmethyl anthranilate, salicylic acid based UV absorbants such as octylsalicylate, phenyl salicylate, homomethyl salicylate, cinnamic acidbased UV absorbants such as isopropyl paramethoxycinnamate,octylparamethoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl paramethoxycinnamate, glyceryldiparamethoxycinnamate mono-2-ethylhexanate, 4-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-3-methylbutyl!-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid esters,benzophenone based UV absorbants such as 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid, sodium2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid, urocanic acid, ethylurocanate, 2-phenyl-5-methylbenzoxazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxybenzoylmethane, etc.

As chelating agent, there are alanine, sodium edetate, sodiumpolyphosphate, sodium metaphosphate, phosphoric acid, etc.

As neutralizing agents, there are 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol,2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide,triethanolamine, sodium carbonate, etc.

As pH adjusters, there are lactic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid,succinic acid, tartaric acid, dl-malic acid, potassium carbonate, sodiumhydrogencarbonate, ammonium hydrogencarbonate, etc.

As antioxidants, there are ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol,dibutylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, etc.

As antibacterials, there are benzoic acid, salicylic acid, carbolicacid, sorbic acid, paraoxybenzoic acid esters, parachlorometacresol,hexachlorophene, benzalkonium chloride, chlorohexidine chloride,trichlorocarbanilide, Photosensitizer phenoxyethanol, etc.

As medicines, there are vitamins such as vitamin A oil, retinol, retinolpalmitate, inositol, pyridoxine chlorate, benzyl nicotinate, nicotinicacid amide, dl-α-tocopherol nicotinate, magnesium ascorbate phosphate,vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol), dl-α-tocopherol, dl-α-tocopherol acetate,pantothenic acid, biotin, hormones such as estradiol, ethynylestradiol,antipyretics such as alginin, asparagic acid, cystine, cysteine,methionine, serine, leucine, tryptophan, and other amino acids,allantoin, glycyrrhetinic acid, tranexamic acid, azulene, whiteners suchas arbutin, astringents such as zinc oxide, tannic acid, fresheners suchas L-menthol, camphor, and sulfur, lysozyme chloride, pyridoxinechlorate, γ-orizanol, etc.

As various types of extracts, there are Houttuynia cordate extract,Phellodendron Bark extract, melilot extract, white dead nettle extract,licorice root extract, herbaceous peony extract, soapwort extract,dishcloth gourd extract, cinchona extract, creeping saxifrage extract,Sophora angustifolia extract, candock extract, common fennel extract,primrose extract, rose extract, Rehmannia glutinosa extract, lemonextract, shikon extract, alloe extract, iris bulb extract, eucalyptusextract, field horsetail extract, sage extract, thyme extract, teaextract, laver extract, cucumber extract, clove extract, raspberryextract, melissa extract, Ginseng extract, carrot extract, horsechestnut extract, peach extract, peach leaf extract, mulberry extract,cornflower extract, hamamelis extract, placenta extract, thymus extract,silk extract, etc.

Further, the above-mentioned medicines may not only be used in a freestate, but also be used in the form of a salt of an acid or base in thecase capable of forming a salt or in the form of an ester in the case ofhaving a carboxylic acid group.

In addition to the above, it is also possible to formulate therein asilicone resin, silicone rubber, etc.

Further, the emulsion composition of the present invention may includetherein, if necessary, a suitable fragrance, color, etc. to an extentnot impairing the emulsion stability.

Further, if a surfactant such as a monoglyceride, sorbitan fatty acidester, polyglycerine fatty acid ester, polyoxyethylene hardened castoroil, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ether, is added thereto in a smallamount, the stability is further improved.

Further, as the method for preparing the emulsion composition of thepresent invention, emulsifiers usually used for emulsification such as ahomomixer, homodisper, may be used, but if it is prepared by anemulsifier having a high shearing force such as an ultrasonic waveemulsifier, high pressure emulsifier, the usability and stability arefurther improved.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be explained in further detail by, but isof course not limited to, the Examples. Note that the formulationamounts shown below are all % by weight.

The emulsion composition of the present invention was evaluated basedupon the evaluation methods shown below:

1) Organoleptic test by panel of female experts

The feeling of use as an emulsion composition was evaluated byperforming an organoleptic test with a panel of 25 women using thefollowing evaluation criteria.

(Evaluation criteria of richness)

o: Good (at least 20 out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

Δ: Somewhat good (10 to 19 out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

x: Poor (9 or less out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

Note that "richness" means a full, rich feeling at the time of use.

(Evaluation criteria of stickiness)

o: Good (at least 20 out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

Δ: Somewhat good (10 to 19 out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

x: Poor (9 or less out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

(Evaluation criteria of sliminess)

o: Good (at least 20 out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

Δ: Somewhat good (10 to 19 out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

x: Poor (9 or less out of 25 evaluated emulsion as good)

2) Stability test

The state of the emulsion composition after being allowed to stand in a50° C. thermostatic vessel for one month was observed and the stabilityevaluated by the following evaluation criteria:

(Evaluation criteria of stability)

o: No separation of oil observed at all

Δ: Slight separation of oil observed

x: Clear separation of oil observed

Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 to 4

The emulsions having the compositions shown in Table 1 were prepared byfirst heating the oil phase components to liquify them, then emulsifyingthem by an emulsifier while adding the aqueous phase components. Theresultant emulsion compositions were then evaluated by theabove-mentioned criteria. The results are also shown in Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________                          Comp.                                                                             Comp.                                                                             Comp.                                                                             Comp.                                       Component Ex. 1                                                                             Ex. 2                                                                             Ex. 3                                                                             Ex. 1                                                                             Ex. 2                                                                             Ex. 3                                                                             Ex. 4                                       __________________________________________________________________________    A. Oil phase                                                                  Liquid paraffin                                                                         22.0                                                                              22.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              22.0                                                                              22.0                                                                              22.0                                                                              22.0                                        Stearyl aldohol                                                                         3.0 5.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 --  --                                          Dimethylpolysiloxane                                                                    5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 --  5.0 --                                          B. Aqueous phase                                                              PEMULEN TR-1                                                                            0.2 0.2 0.2 --  0.2 0.2 0.2                                         CARBOPOL 941                                                                            --  --  --  0.2 --  --  --                                          Triethahol amine                                                                        0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4                                         Propylene glycol                                                                        10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                                                              10.0                                        Ethyl alcohol                                                                           5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0                                         Methyl    0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1                                         paraoxybenzoate                                                               Trisodium edetate                                                                       0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1                                         Ion exchanged water                                                                     Balance                                                                           Balance                                                                           Balance                                                                           Balance                                                                           Balance                                                                           Balance                                                                           Balance                                     PEMULEN/higher                                                                          0.06                                                                              0.04                                                                              0.06                                                                              --  0.06                                                                              --  --                                          alcohol                                                                       Emulsion stability                                                                      ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     x   ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                               Richness  ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     x   Δ                                     Stickiness                                                                              ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     x   ∘                                                                     x                                           Sliminess ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     ∘                                                                     x   x                                           __________________________________________________________________________

As shown in Table 1, it is clear that the emulsion compositions ofExamples 1 to 3 were superior in terms of the richness, excellentfeeling of use having little stickiness, and good emulsion stability.

Example 4

The same procedure was followed as in Example 1 to prepare an emulsionhaving the composition shown below and to evaluate the usabilitythereof, whereupon it is clear that the emulsion composition of thisExample, like Example 1, is a superior in terms of richness, a feelingof use having little stickiness, and a good emulsion stability.

    ______________________________________                                        A.      Oil phase                                                                     Dimethyl Polysiloxane                                                                           10.0%                                                       Isopropyl myristate                                                                             8.0                                                         Squalane          2.0                                                         α-Tocopherol                                                                              0.3                                                         Cetyl alcohol     3.0                                                 B.      Aqueous phase                                                                 Triethanolamine   0.25%                                                       Propylene glycol  10.0                                                        Methyl paraoxybenzoate                                                                          0.1                                                         Sodium metaphosphate                                                                            0.1                                                         CARBOPOL 1342     0.3                                                         Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose                                                                    0.1                                                         Ion exchanged water                                                                             Balance                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example 5

    ______________________________________                                        A.      Oil phase                                                                     Liquid paraffin   10.0%                                                       Dimethyl polysiloxane                                                                           1.0                                                         Jojoba oil        4.0                                                         Vitamin A oil     0.1                                                         Batyl alcohol     5.0                                                 B.      Aqueous phase                                                                 1,3-butylene glycol                                                                             10.0%                                                       Propylene glycol  3.0                                                         Arbutin           2.0                                                         Magnesium ascorbate phosphate                                                                   1.0                                                         Placenta extract  0.5                                                         Dishcloth gourd extract                                                                         2.0                                                         PEMULEN TR-1      0.02                                                        CARBOPOL 941      0.15                                                        Trisodium edetate 0.15                                                        Methyl paraoxybenzoate                                                                          0.1                                                         Phenoxy ethanol   0.2                                                         Ion exchanged water                                                                             Balance                                             ______________________________________                                    

Examples 6 to 7 and Comparative Examples 5 to 6

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                                            Comp.            Comp.                                                 Ex. 6  Ex. 5   Ex. 7    Ex. 6                                    ______________________________________                                        A. Oil phase                                                                  Liquid paraffin                                                                              22.0     22.0    22.0   22.0                                   Stearyl alcohol                                                                              1.0      0.2     1.0    0.2                                    Dimethylpolysiloxane                                                                         5.0      5.0     5.0    5.0                                    Vaseline       1.0      1.0     4.0    4.0                                    B. Aqueous phase                                                              PEMULEN TR-2   0.2      0.2     0.2    0.2                                    Triethanolamine                                                                              0.4      0.4     0.4    0.4                                    1,3-butylene glycol                                                                          10.0     10.0    10.0   10.0                                   Ethyl alcohol  5.0      5.0     5.0    5.0                                    Methyl         0.1      0.1     0.1    0.1                                    paraoxy-benzoate                                                              Trisodium edetate                                                                            0.1      0.1     0.1    0.1                                    Ion exchanged water                                                                          Balance  Balance Balance                                                                              Balance                                PEMULEN TR-2/higher                                                                          0.2      1.0     0.2    1.0                                    alcohol                                                                       other solid oils and                                                                         1.0      1.0     4.0    4.0                                    fats                                                                          Sliminess      ∘                                                                          x       ∘                                                                        x                                      Stickiness     ∘                                                                          ∘                                                                         Δ                                                                              x                                      Richness       ∘                                                                          ∘                                                                         ∘                                                                        ∘                          Emulsion stability                                                                           ∘                                                                          ∘                                                                         ∘                                                                        ∘                          ______________________________________                                    

As shown in Table 2, Example 6, where the weight ratio of thealkyl-modified carboxyvinyl polymer and higher alcohol and the amountsformulated of the solid oils and fats and/or semisolid oils and fatsother than the higher alcohol are in a suitable range, gives an emulsionexcellent in terms of both sliminess and stickiness. The emulsioncomposition of Example 7 also poses no practical problems.

Example 8

The same procedure was followed as in Example 1 to prepare an emulsionhaving the composition shown below and to evaluate its usability,whereupon it is clear that the emulsion composition of this Example is asuperior in terms of richness, a feeling of use having little stickinessor sliminess, and a good emulsion stability.

    ______________________________________                                        A.      Oil phase                                                                     Dimethyl polysiloxane                                                                           8.0%                                                        Isopropyl myristate                                                                             2.0                                                         Squalane          2.0                                                         Cetostearyl alcohol                                                                             1.0                                                         Vaseline          1.0                                                 B.      Aqueous phase                                                                 Triethanolamine   0.4%                                                        Glycerol          8.0                                                         Methyl paraoxybenzoate                                                                          0.1                                                         CARBOPOL 1342     0.2                                                         Xanthane gum      0.1                                                         Ion exchanged water                                                                             Balance                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example 9

A high pressure emulsifier was used to prepare an emulsion having thecomposition shown below, then this was evaluated for its usability. Itis clear that the emulsion composition of this Example was rich and afeeling of use having little stickiness or sliminess and further asuperior emulsion stability.

    ______________________________________                                        A.      Oil phase                                                                     Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane                                                                    8.0%                                                        Macadamia nut oil 3.0                                                         Squalane          2.0                                                         Behenyl alcohol   0.4                                                         Batyl alcohol     0.2                                                         Solid paraffin    0.5                                                         Vaseline          1.2                                                 B.      Aqueous phase                                                                 Triethanolamine   0.4%                                                        Glycerol          8.0                                                         Methyl paraoxybenzoate                                                                          0.1                                                         PEMULEN TR-1      0.2                                                         Xanthane gum      0.1                                                         Ion exchanged water                                                                             Balance                                             ______________________________________                                    

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possibleto obtain a superior emulsion composition, without using a surfactant,having a rich feeling, a superior feeling of use with, for example, lackof stickiness, and a good emulsion stability.

We claim:
 1. An emulsion composition comprising (i) an acrylicacid-methacrylic acid alkyl copolymer, (ii) a C₁₂ to C₂₈ higher alcoholwhich is solid at room temperature, and (iii) a silicone oil, the weightratio of the component (i)/component (ii) being not more than 0.5, withthe proviso that said composition includes no surfactant.
 2. An emulsioncomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content of the higheralcohol which is solid at room temperature is 0.01 to 10% by weightbased on the total weight of the emulsion composition.
 3. An emulsioncomposition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the content of the siliconeoil is 1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the emulsioncomposition.
 4. An emulsion composition as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising solid oil in addition to the higher alcohol which is solid atroom temperature, in an amount of more than 0% but less than 2% byweight based upon the total weight of the emulsion composition.
 5. Anemulsion composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the content of thesilicone oil is 1 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of theemulsion composition.
 6. An emulsion composition as claimed in claim 5,further comprising solid oil in addition to the higher alcohol which issolid at room temperature, in an amount of more than 0% but less than 2%by weight based upon the total weight of the emulsion composition.
 7. Anemulsion composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising solid oilin addition to the higher alcohol which is solid at room temperature, inan amount of more than 0% but less than 2% by weight based upon thetotal weight of the emulsion composition.
 8. An emulsion composition asclaimed in claim 7, wherein said further solid oil is selected from thegroup consisting of cacao fat, coconut oil, palm oil, palm nut oil, beeftallow, hog fat, sheep fat, horse fat, hydrogenated oil, hydrogenatedcastor oil, Japan wax, and Shea butter.
 9. An emulsion composition asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said C₁₂ to C₂₈ higher alcohol is selectedfrom the group consisting of lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearylalcohol, behenyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol,glyceryl monostearyl ethers, and glyceryl monocetyl ethers.
 10. Anemulsion composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said silicone oil isselected from the group consisting of dimethyl polysiloxane,methylphenylpolysiloxane, methylhydrogenpolysiloxane,octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, anddodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane.
 11. An emulsion composition as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising at least one component selected from thegroup consisting of a liquid oil, a solid oil, a wax, an ester oil, ahydrocarbon oil, a lower alcohol, a sterol, a humectant, a water solublepolymer, a UV absorbant, a chelating agent, a neutralizing agent, a pHadjuster, an antioxidant, an antibacterial, a medicine, an extract, aresin, a fragrance, and a color.
 12. A method for preparing an emulsionaccording to claim 1, comprising combining acrylic acid-methacrylic acidalkyl copolymer, said C₁₂ to C₂₈ higher alcohol which is solid at roomtemperature, and said silicone oil, optionally by using a homomixer orby using an emulsifier.
 13. A method for preparing a cosmetic comprisingemploying a composition as claimed in claim
 1. 14. An emulsioncomposition comprising (i) an acrylic acid-methacrylic acid alkylcopolymer, (ii) a C₁₂ to C₂₈ higher alcohol which is solid at 15° C. to20° C., and (iii) a silicone oil, the weight ratio of the component(i)/component (ii) being not more than 0.5, with the proviso that thecomposition includes no surfactant.
 15. An emulsion composition asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the content of the higher alcohol which issolid at room temperature is 0.01 to 10% by weight, based on the totalweight of the emulsion composition.
 16. An emulsion composition asclaimed in claim 14, wherein the content of the silicone oil is 1 to 30%by weight based on the total weight of the emulsion composition.
 17. Anemulsion composition as claimed in claim 14, further comprising solidoil in addition to the higher alcohol which is solid at 15° C. to 20° C.in an amount of more than 0% but less than 2% by weight based upon thetotal weight of the emulsion composition.